"This is the ultimate story of spies, what they do and how they really work." "Spies have been documented as far back as the Bible, and although the golden age may have come during the Cold War, what was once seen as a 'necessary evil' is now acknowledged as an essential part of any country's national defence network." "The History of Espionage recounts the full, fascinating story of spies and spying, from the earliest recorded history to today's surveillance society. It is a story of secret agents and undercover activity, of poisoning and subterfuge, of wars won and lost, and how governments around the world spend billions on security and intelligence gathering."--BOOK JACKET
Includes index
The other side of the hill -- Eyeless in Gaza -- Whispers in the wind -- Go spy the land -- Pandora's box -- Fire from the East -- Marco Polo -- Be afraid, be very afraid -- "A great reckoning in a little room" -- God's secret agents -- The king who knew everything -- The emperor and the lion -- Chambres Noir -- The spymaster of Valley Forge -- "Burn, perfidious England!" -- His truth is marching on -- The purloined letter -- The secrets of Rue Pepiniere -- Mata Hari -- The red orchestra -- The catcher who spied -- East wind, rain -- Deus ex machina -- The mole wars -- The great plutonium hunt -- Death in the perfumed garden -- The age of surveillance